Mbabane – Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka has launched the 2025/2026 ploughing season under the “Phezukomkhono” initiative, calling on farmers across the country to begin planting early and take advantage of favourable weather conditions.
Speaking during the official launch on Tuesday, Tshawuka expressed gratitude for the widespread rainfall recently received across Eswatini, saying it signals a promising start to the new agricultural year.He assured farmers that the government is fully prepared to support them through the National Maize Corporation (NMC), agricultural extension officers, and other government programmes aimed at strengthening food security.
Understanding the Input Subsidy Programme, the NMC has published a full list of accredited agro-dealers for the 2025/2026 season. The network of dealers has been expanded across all four regions to make it easier for farmers to access inputs.
Each farmer is entitled to choose one crop input maize, beans, or sorghum with no limit on the quantity they can buy as long as it fits within their subsidy budget. Tshawuka reminded farmers that the subsidy is meant for those who genuinely need assistance and meet the eligibility requirements set by the government.
The Minister revealed that 8,670 farmers were approved for this year’s subsidy a 28% increase from last year’s 6,079 beneficiaries.
To support production, NMC has boosted its mechanisation fleet to 365 tractors, made up of 153 NMC-owned units and 212 contracted from private operators. The number of planters has also risen from 15 to 45, with plans to reach 65 this season.
“These investments, along with NMC’s camping system, will ensure that no farmer is left without assistance,” Tshawuka said. He encouraged farmers to “go out early and take advantage of the good weather,” noting that beans should ideally be planted by February.
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